A drunk driver who caused the death of a 77-year-old man as a result of his “dangerous” actions has been handed a lengthy prison sentence.
Tom Ferguson has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after causing the death of 77-year-old Robert Palmer late last year, it has been confirmed, and has also been banned from driving for 13 years on top of this.
The 29-year-old was sentenced last Friday (8 March 2024) after appearing in court.
Ferguson’s sentencing and driving ban comes after Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called to were called to reports of a road traffic collision on Buxton Road in Stockport on Thursday 9 November 2023 at around 11:35am, and after officers arrived on the scene, it was found that a BMW 1 Series – which was being driven by Ferguson – was travelling in a south-eastern direction on Buxton Road, when it mounted the pavement on its nearside, and subsequently collided with a pedestrian near to junction of Fence Street.
Ferguson then re-joined the carriageway in the BM1 following the collision, and began to drive away from the scene.
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But a member of the public who witnessed the collision was said to have “courageously chased him down” and “forced him off the road using his own vehicle” – which brought Ferguson to a stop at a set of traffic lights.
After approaching the car, GMP says the member of the public confronted Ferguson and made reference to the fact that he’d collided with a pedestrian – only for Ferguson to respond by saying “Have I? Sorry mate, I didn’t even know.”
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The pedestrian, Robert Palmer, was taken to hospital following the collision, but later tragically died as a result of his injuries.
Ferguson was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and taken to police custody for questioning, before later being charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing death whilst disqualified, causing death whilst uninsured, and failing to stop at the scene of an accident on 11 November 2023.
A police investigation to establish the full circumstances of the incident was subsequently launched.
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Police officers investigating events leading up to the time of the collision established that Ferguson has been staying at a hotel in the area, and was asked to leave by staff after “numerous complaints” of him being intoxicated.
It was found that Ferguson consumed nine-and-a-half litre bottles of rum over a two-day period prior to the collision, and later forensic work also showed that he was two times over the legal limit to drive, despite being tested hours after the initial collision occurred.
Detective Constable Liam Carolan, from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, described Ferguson’s actions as “ridiculously irresponsible”.
DC Carolan continued, following Ferguson’s sentencing last week: “Getting behind the wheel of a car after a couple of drinks can have devastating effects, let alone driving after consuming nine-and-a-half bottles of rum over a two-day period.
“This is such a sad case of a husband accompanying his wife back from a hospital appointment. Robert’s wife described him as a true gentleman that he would always make sure he positioned himself on the outside of the pathway to protect her from traffic – but his deepest fears sadly became a reality when he was hit by Ferguson’s BMW.”
He added that the entire team involved in the investigation “worked tirelessly” to ensure Ferguson was “put behind bars and remained there”.
Featured Image – GMP
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Olivia Dean at Albert Hall – star stuns in every way in Manchester
Abbie Bartlett
24-year-old neo soul singer Olivia Dean was in Manchester last night performing her Mercury prize-nominated album effortlessly with a voice and style made for the stage.
Fans of the star have watched her go from strength to strength over the past year, from being nominated for three Brits, performing at Coachella and now preparing for this year’s Glastonbury festival.
As someone who frequents gigs like they’re going out of fashion, it’s a bold statement but I think this may be one of the best I’ve ever experienced, and Olivia Dean can only be described being a star.
Before we dive into the performance, it’s only fair to take a minute to shoutout what an incredible venue for music the Albert Hall is. The former Methodist hall projects and echos acoustics perfectly and the raised stage and balcony area mean everyone in the building has a good view.
It’s no surprise that given her recent success the show at the Albert Hall was a complete sell-out, appearing on stage in a stunning floor-length silk dress the sea of fans filled the venue with admiring applause.
With a seven-piece band behind her, the star jumped straight into an atmospheric UFO before a cheery ‘How are we Manchester?’ and raising a can of Red Stripe. She quickly follows with Ok Love You Bye – a track that gets the whole crowd singing along and contemplating their past love decisions (maybe that last bit was just me).
The singer seamlessly glided through her set with ease, tambourine in hand, wowing fans with gorgeous melodies and relatable lyrics.
Gracefully sitting at the piano the room fell to silence as we heard Everybody’s Crazy and ICould Be a Florist, I’d predict I wasn’t the only person crying at this point.
As the evening rolled on and the songs kept coming the genuine talent Olivia has, not just as a singer but as a lyricist, had the crowd hooked on her every word. Of course she ends with Dive, the standout track from the album that perfectly depicts how it feels to fall in love.
Olivia Dean 2024 setlist
UFO
Ok Love You Bye
Echo
Danger
Cross My Mind
Be My Own Boyfriend
What Am I Gonna Do on Sundays?
No Man
Messy
Touching Toes
Everybody’s Crazy
I Could Be a Florist
Ladies Room
Reason to Stay
The Hardest Part
Carmen
Saying her goodbyes with a ‘I’ve had such a lovely evening’ and telling the crowd how happy she is to be back home in the UK after recent shows in America.
Experiencing Olivia Dean at Albert Hall felt genuinely special, the star is destined for a life time of deserved fame but her voice was made to be experiences in an intimate venue. The opportunity to enjoy her talent in such a perfect venue was nothing short of a divine evening.
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2024 Manchester Marathon raises £29 million for local economy and over £3.7m for charity
Danny Jones
Just under a fortnight on from the 2024 Manchester Marathon and the numbers are finally, with the annual race generating nearly £30 million for the local economy and raising over £3.7m for charity.
This year’s Adidas Manchester Marathon saw record numbers of runners and spectators as over 30,000 took part in the popular race, up by roughly 6,000 from 2023, and more than 125k turned up to line the streets of Greater Manchester.
As a result, these huge crowds spent upwards of £29.2 million at business around the city centre and around the 10 boroughs last weekend, serving as one of the most significant contributions to the local economy on the annual calendar.
Not only was this an approximately £8m increase on last year’s tally but, most importantly, a sizeable chunk of that went straight into both regional and national charities.
The 2024 adidas Manchester Marathon was a spectacular day for the city and its economy.
Beyond the boost to local vendors, the hospitality sector and retail businesses, over £3.7 million were allocated to charities such as Alzheimer’s Charity, Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation and The Christie.
Over £32,000 was also raised for the Trafford Active Fund, with £1 from every paid entry to the Adidas Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half donated directly to the initiative that benefits local sports clubs and organisations through Trafford Council.
Better still, with City of Trees selected as the chosen ‘Green Runner’ charity, the eco-friendly drive saw roughly 7% of participants opt out of receiving either a finisher t-shirt, medal or both.
The money saved in production goes towards maintaining woodlands and wildlife across Greater Manchester.
Together you have raised over £3.7 million for charitable causes, adding even more meaning to those 26.2 miles 💕 Well done and thank you to all those who fundraised and donated! 🌟Tag us in those charity top pictures from last weekend 😍😍#ManchesterMarathonpic.twitter.com/5gsi6NtFzB
This year’s Manchester Marathon also helped produce some of the highest number of passengers on public transport in the city’s history, with a over 175,000 journeys made on Metrolink alone – the highest number of journeys ever recorded on a single day.
This was a 20% increaseon 2023’s race day (145k), spotlighting how the event continues to be more environmentally conscious as years go by.
With the 2025 adidas Manchester Marathon confirmed to be taking place on Sunday, 27 April next year – and over 12,000 places already sold – the city can already look forward to reaping the economic and social benefits of hosting one of Europe’s largest, flattest, friendliest and most-loved marathons.